Stepho's Journey: Hamba Kahle Tata Madiba

"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner." Nelson Mandela

In the early hours of the morning on December 6th, I arose to the unfortunate news that Nelson Mandela had passed away December 5th at the age of 95. I, along with the rest of the world was very saddened by the death of this astonishing South African civil rights leader. President Obama remembers Nelson Mandela as "A man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice."

Nelson Rohilhala Mandela: July 18, 1918 - December 5, 2013

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Nelson Mandela

To pay our respects, several of us walked to visit the Union Buildings where Mandela gave his first inaugural speech in 1994. It was extremely touching and I was humbled to be amongst South Africans during this moving and unforgettable time. Many people had brought flowers, signs, and memorabilia. There were gatherings of people singing songs to tribute what I believe to be the most influential man in the world. Here is a video I managed to catch of one of the several songs that were sung. Most of this song is saying "there is none like Nelson Mandela." It is originally a Christian song and this version is sung in Sotho. My apologies for the poor quality.

“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” Nelson Mandela

The next day we went to see “A Long Walk To Freedom.” Mandela wrote this book and it has recently been made into a movie. I highly recommend everyone sees it. After we watched it, we again headed back to the Union Buildings. We were able to write in a memory/condolence book. I wrote about my admiration of him for his dedication to his people and his country; and my hopes that people around the world will live by his example of utmost forgiveness, peace, and equality for all. It was a humbling experience to be in the country during this time.

A young girl who was proud to be adding her handwritten note at the Union Buildings

“No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” Nelson Mandela

Below, I have pasted a tribute poem on behalf of the American people written by Dr. Maya Angelou

His Day is Done

Is done

The news came on the wings of a wind, reluctant to carry its burden

Nelson Mandela’s day is done

The news, expected and still unwelcome, reached us in the United States, and suddenly our world became somber Our skies were leadened

His day is done

We see you, South African people standing speechless at the slamming of that final door through which no traveler returns

Our spirits reach out to you Bantu, Zulu, Xhosa, Boer

We think of you and your son of Africa, your father, your one more wonder of the world

We send our souls to you as you reflect upon your David armed with a mere stone, facing down the mighty Goliath

Your man of strength, Gideon, emerging triumphant

Although born into the brutal embrace of Apartheid, scarred by the savage atmosphere of racism, unjustly imprisoned in the bloody maws of South African dungeons

Would the man survive? Could the man survive?

His answer strengthened men and women around the world

In the Alamo, in San Antonio, Texas, on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, in Chicago’s Loop, in New Orleans Mardi Gras, in New York City’s Times Square, we watched as the hope of Africa sprang through the prison’s doors

His stupendous heart intact, his gargantuan will hale and hearty

He had not been crippled by brutes, nor was his passion for the rights of human beings diminished by twenty-seven years of imprisonment

Even here in America, we felt the cool, refreshing breeze of freedom

When Nelson Mandela took the seat of Presidency in his country where formerly he was not even allowed to vote we were enlarged by tears of pride, as we saw Nelson Mandela’s former prison guards invited, courteously, by him to watch from the front rows his inauguration

We saw him accept the world’s award in Norway with the grace and gratitude of the Solon in Ancient Roman Courts, and the confidence of African Chiefs from ancient royal stools

No sun outlasts its sunset, but it will rise again and bring the dawn

Yes, Mandela’s day is done, yet we, his inheritors, will open the gates wider for reconciliation, and we will respond generously to the cries of Blacks and Whites, Asians, Hispanics, the poor who live piteously on the floor of our planet

He has offered us understanding

We will not withhold forgiveness even from those who do not ask

Nelson Mandela’s day is done, we confess it in tearful voices, yet we lift our own to say thank you

Thank you our Gideon, thank you our David, our great courageous man

We will not forget you, we will not dishonor you, we will remember and be glad that you lived among us, that you taught us, and that you loved us all

Lala kahle Tata Madiba